tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42103214355628881112018-09-17T01:54:55.632-04:00Inside and OverneathMusings on the nature, character, and love of God.Nate Bryanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17169320756136975007noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-41004151168283282582017-03-09T16:51:00.000-05:002017-03-09T16:58:25.158-05:00Martyrs of Sevaste<div 14px="" arial="" class="" color:="" d2129="" data-block="true" data-editor="fc67n" data-offset-key="gun3-0-0" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" sans-serif=""><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="gun3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmUZfNqTIYM/WMHOJYE11EI/AAAAAAAAH70/cGtoASNSfkQEB2GgkVekkXcg465TcuOfgCLcB/s1600/40%2Bde%2Bcoroane%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmUZfNqTIYM/WMHOJYE11EI/AAAAAAAAH70/cGtoASNSfkQEB2GgkVekkXcg465TcuOfgCLcB/s400/40%2Bde%2Bcoroane%2B1.JPG" width="305" /></a><span data-offset-key="gun3-0-0">On this day, March 9, 320, singing hymns together, 40 soldiers, stripped of their armor and clothing stood shivering on the pond of Sevaste as the sun sank. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="gun3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="gun3-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="gun3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="gun3-0-0">The crisp night air carried a prayer to all ears: </span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span data-offset-key="gun3-0-0">"Lord, there are forty of us engaged in this battle; grant that forty may be crowned and not one be wanting from this sacred number."</span></blockquote></div></div><div 14px="" arial="" class="" color:="" d2129="" data-block="true" data-editor="fc67n" data-offset-key="1ekpg-0-0" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" sans-serif=""><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1ekpg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1ekpg-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div 14px="" arial="" class="" color:="" d2129="" data-block="true" data-editor="fc67n" data-offset-key="d15vh-0-0" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" sans-serif=""><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d15vh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="d15vh-0-0">They were ordered on the ice to freeze to death because they refused to worship the Roman emperor Licinius. </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d15vh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><br /></div>The "rebels" however, did not wait for the sentence to be imposed, but instead tore off their own clothes and ran to the pond in the raw March air.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"We are soldiers of the Lord and fear no hardship," they said. "What is death for us but an entrance into eternal life?"</blockquote><br /></div><div 14px="" arial="" class="" color:="" d2129="" data-block="true" data-editor="fc67n" data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0" font-family:="" font-size:="" helvetica="" sans-serif=""><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0">41 men died that night, as one of the soldiers standing guard over them, moved by their passion and zeal decided to stand with them in solidarity, and by their example, repented of his own false worship and gave his life to Christ both by confession and by martyrdom.</span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="3e7oh-0-0">May we all be encouraged and strengthened by the example of the Martyrs of Sevaste!</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-20804305373097415682016-12-31T10:01:00.001-05:002016-12-31T10:01:36.501-05:00Oh Love: A Liturgy for the New Year<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykYz00MomC8/WGfBpveao2I/AAAAAAAAAII/WANrBv1l1Icc50fP3emQStl-gDEKyFf-wCLcB/s1600/375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykYz00MomC8/WGfBpveao2I/AAAAAAAAAII/WANrBv1l1Icc50fP3emQStl-gDEKyFf-wCLcB/s320/375.jpg" width="218" /></span></a></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="&#45;-"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false" DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="382"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Normal Indent"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="footnote text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="annotation text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="header"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="footer"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="index heading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="table of figures"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="envelope address"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="envelope return"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="footnote reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="annotation reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="line number"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="page number"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="endnote reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="endnote text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="table of authorities"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="macro"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toa heading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Bullet"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Number"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Bullet 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Bullet 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Bullet 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Bullet 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Number 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Number 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Number 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Number 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Closing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Signature"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text Indent"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Continue"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Continue 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Continue 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Continue 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="List Continue 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Message Header"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Salutation"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Date"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text First Indent"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Heading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text Indent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text Indent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Block Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Hyperlink"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="FollowedHyperlink"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Document Map"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Plain Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="E-mail Signature"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Top of Form"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Normal (Web)"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Acronym"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Address"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Cite"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Code"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Definition"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Keyboard"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Preformatted"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Sample"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Typewriter"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="HTML Variable"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Normal Table"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="annotation subject"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="No List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Outline List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Outline List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Outline List 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Simple 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Simple 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Simple 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Classic 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Classic 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Classic 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Classic 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Colorful 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Colorful 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Colorful 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Columns 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Columns 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Columns 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Columns 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Columns 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Grid 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table List 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table 3D effects 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table 3D effects 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table 3D effects 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Contemporary"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Elegant"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Professional"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Subtle 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Subtle 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Web 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Web 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Web 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Balloon Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Table Theme"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Note Level 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Mention"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Smart Hyperlink"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span></b> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Call to Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Ephesians 5:1-2</span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Greeting<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">be forever. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Request for Presence</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">O Lord, our most gracious Redeemer and King, dwell and reign within us, take possession of us by your Spirit, and reign where you have the right to reign, and spread your kingdom throughout the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Refrain of the People<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake us from our sleep; Raise us from our coffins. Oh Christ, show us Your light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Hymn – “<a href="https://youtu.be/AcMXezA0BuA" target="_blank">Great is Your Faithfulness</a>”</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Great, your faithfulness; O God my father, O God my father.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your love it never fades, and so I’ll love you, until the end.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When shadows fall you never change. From age to age, you never change.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Great is your faithfulness, your faithfulness; through the years you’ve always been there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Great is your love for us, your love for us; through the years you’ll always be there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Great, your kindness God; you are our shelter, our dwelling place.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your presence like a fire; hope for tomorrow, strength for today.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When shadows fall you never change. From age to age, you never change.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Great is your faithfulness, your faithfulness; through the years you’ve always been there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Great is your love for us, your love for us; through the years you’ll always be there.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will stand, we will stand upon your promises.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are strong, we are strong because our hope is in you.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will run, we will run, we will run.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We belong, we belong, we belong to you.</span><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Martin Smith</span></i><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Refrain of the People<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake us from our sleep; Raise us from our coffins. Oh Christ, show us Your light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i>Ephesians 2:1-9</i></span></span><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Refrain of the People&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake us from our sleep; Raise us from our coffins. Oh Christ, show us Your light.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Hymn&nbsp;</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">–</span></b><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">&nbsp;I will Walk</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus your grace<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Abounds in waves<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your love anchors<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My faith, you are my rock<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yahweh<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><br /></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus I'm lost<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bow at the cross<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In worship<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll walk In the light<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of grace<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><br /></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I will walk in the light of day; I will walk in the light of day</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;My anchor is Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Here I'll stay<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;I will walk in the light of day<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In all I do</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May my life imitate you</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And may I walk in your footsteps</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In who I am</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May I resemble the Lamb</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And may I walk in the light of your love</span></div><div class="MsoPlainText"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gabriel Smith</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Taking of the Eucharist<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If praying this Liturgy with others, take this time to celebrate the Eucharist.</span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Prayer of St. Francis<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, <br />Where there is hatred, let me sow love;<br />where there is injury, pardon;<br />where there is doubt, faith;<br />where there is despair, hope;<br />where there is darkness, light;<br />where there is sadness, joy. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; <br />to be understood as to understand; <br />to be loved as to love. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For it is in giving that we receive; <br />it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; <br />and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Concluding Hymn – “<a href="https://youtu.be/aQsoErP7sTE" target="_blank">The Greatest Commands</a>”</span></b><i><span style="color: #454545; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love one another, for love is of God. He who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love, God is love.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love bears all things, Believes all things. Love Hopes all things, Endures all things.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God is love, God is love, God is love.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God is love, God is love, God is love.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God is love, God is love, God is love.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God is love, God is love, God is love.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, all thy strength, all thy mind.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, for God is love, God is love, God is love.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-70739723960454125372016-12-19T12:38:00.002-05:002016-12-19T12:40:21.597-05:00Advent Devo: Do You Hear What I Hear?Do you hear what I hear?<br /><br />Christmas music playing on every radio station.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">"Its the most wonderful time of the year!" </div><br />Sermons every week on the coming birth of Jesus.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">"The birth of Jesus is the answer God gives to a world locked in fear and darkness!" </div><br />The crazy thing is that, though we are submerged in music declaring that Peace has come, Love is here. That even the song for which I have titled this post declares these lyrics, "Pray for peace, people everywhere!"...<br /><br />...I am instead surrounded with just the opposite.<br /><br />Friends, let us not get sucked in to the hatred, fear, and hurt that so many people are sprawling on TV, in newspapers, or on social media. Instead, remember the songs we sing. The words we preach. The Scriptures we hold so high.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.<br /><div style="text-align: right;">-Romans 14:17-19 NIV</div></blockquote><br /><br />For the rest of 2016 will you join me in obeying the command of the King to "Pray for Peace, people everywhere!"?<br /><br />Perhaps, I am just naive enough to still believe that there is power when God's people come together in agreement on something. I pray that I never lose that. And perhaps, maybe, that is exactly what God is yearning for His people to do? Perhaps God has the perfect answer for the torment that is the Middle East ISIS crisis. Perhaps God knows exactly what will heal the fear that surrounds the Refugee Crisis. Perhaps... God still answers every situation with Himself.<br /><br />He is, the Prince of Peace, after all. We say we believe that, will you join me in praying it?<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night<br />He will bring us goodness and light<br />He will bring us goodness and light!" </blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ad7KU9bCTAM?rel=0" width="420"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmkwZzkfG0Q/WFgaekLBS6I/AAAAAAAAHHI/x3jeoMEX_KoKRcOE425KUeei4r0tAttZACLcB/s1600/15271922_1813707258885879_9083761321233129466_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vmkwZzkfG0Q/WFgaekLBS6I/AAAAAAAAHHI/x3jeoMEX_KoKRcOE425KUeei4r0tAttZACLcB/s640/15271922_1813707258885879_9083761321233129466_o.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor in East Orlando, FL. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/nathanpbryant">Follow @nathanpbryant</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-44051817619174781172016-12-18T10:10:00.000-05:002016-12-18T11:54:57.548-05:00Advent 2016: Love<div class="tr_bq"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nG2uwE5VGE/VnnE1wuMXXI/AAAAAAAAE00/b0EQDj68Nlg/s1600/Day-15-Lyric-Art_Advent_3840x2160.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nG2uwE5VGE/VnnE1wuMXXI/AAAAAAAAE00/b0EQDj68Nlg/s640/Day-15-Lyric-Art_Advent_3840x2160.png" width="620" /></a>This week is the last Sunday before Christmas, the wreath is all lit, awaiting the most important piece. We have all been on a journey over the last four weeks and have been preparing for Jesus. This week He is here.</div><br /><br />Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. In the Christian season of Advent, we prepare for the “Coming” of Christ at Christmas while longing for His Return. This morning, we continue to light the advent candles as we move towards Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus.<br /><br />The lights of Hope, Peace, and Joy flicker over this Advent wreath. They flicker over our lives. As we move closer and closer to Christmas with each passing day we realize that throughout history these lights have penetrated the gloom of this world.<br /><br />Yet, darkness is still present. None of us can deny that. Death, Gloom, Despair. We can almost hear the exhale of the earth as we cry out. The shadow of death, of hate, of Adam's Fall continues to roll over us. Everyday there is a new catastrophe. Every hour there is negativity that wafts in with every passing breeze. Our souls are dampened and weighted down with the hurt 2016 has brought. How can we be joyful when we let the reality of life settle into our minds?<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Our spirits by Thine advent here</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Disperse the gloomy clouds of night</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>And death's dark shadows put to flight</i></span></blockquote><div>As we meditate on Jesus, we can become conscious that there is a horizon of light approaching us…<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...The love of “God With Us”.</div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace;"><i><span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">And let us run<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30214A" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30214A&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference A&quot;&gt;A&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>&nbsp;with perseverance<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30214B" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30214B&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference B&quot;&gt;B&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>&nbsp;the race marked out for us,</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">fixing our eyes on Jesus,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215C" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30215C&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference C&quot;&gt;C&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the pioneer<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215D" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30215D&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference D&quot;&gt;D&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>&nbsp;and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215E" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30215E&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference E&quot;&gt;E&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>&nbsp;scorning its shame,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215F" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30215F&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference F&quot;&gt;F&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>&nbsp;and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30215G" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30215G&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference G&quot;&gt;G&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Heb-12-3" id="en-NIV-30216" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30216H" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-30216H&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference H&quot;&gt;H&lt;/a&gt;)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>&nbsp;and lose heart.</span></i></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace;"><b>-Hebrews 12:1b-2 NIV</b></span>&nbsp;</div><br /><br />I wonder if the Father wept with joy as the greatest of Christmas gifts, His Son Jesus, was placed in a manger’s crib. God’s mighty, miraculous gifts of love are found in unsuspecting, even difficult places. Toys break; clothes shrink. But love endures. It overcomes. Life’s circumstances do not diminish it. Are you looking for love this Christmas? We are told to look in a lot of different directions, but God gives us an incomparable gift. From the Manger to the Cross to His presence with us, the Love we long for is found in Jesus.<br /><br />Love: This power is what gives fuel to the other themes. After all, what Hope do we have outside of the Love of God? What kind of Peace can we experience without the Love of Christ in our hearts and minds? And Joy, there is no Joy without Love. We remember that Christ demonstrated self-giving love in his ministry as our Good Shepherd. May Our Shepherd lead us evermore into His love this Christmas season.<br /><br />Scripture reminds us that The LORD our God is in our midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over us with gladness; he will quiet us by his love; he will exult over us with loud singing. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. No one has greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. <br />This season, marked by the giving of gifts, is a time to love as God loved us by giving us his most precious gift. As God is love, we are also to love.<br />We remember that out of darkness light shines. The true light of life whose love overcame darkness, and whose love is our light, both now and forevermore is here. Today, we light the Love candle.<br /><br />*Someone will light the fourth candle as the reading continues*<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.<br />God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.<br />Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.<br />And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.<br />God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.<br />Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.</blockquote><div style="text-align: right;">-1 John 4:7-21</div><br />We may not have answers to the darkness that this world holds... but the clouds of doom will dissipate. We can trust that Jesus' coming can redeem anything that may befall us. The fog of sin cannot hold anything over us. For light has come, light is among us, light is coming again. Grasp that truth, let it pump hope into your weary heart, and let us be reminded that Joy and Peace are choices that Love gives us, even among times such as these.<br /><br />PRAYER:<br />Everlasting Father,<br />Thank you for the reminder this morning that above all and among everything you are, you are love. We will never fully be able to grasp the depths of your love, but it still beckons us to respond. May we respond with our whole hearts this Christmas season. May we look for your graces wherever we go. We pray this in the name of your Son, Our Savior, Jesus, Amen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQjNedRk2dw/WFalgUh-HFI/AAAAAAAAHGw/DniKeYX8oRIC-bbOvwGYYBnTRcN_irf0ACLcB/s1600/15232269_1813707025552569_3025685831126327794_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQjNedRk2dw/WFalgUh-HFI/AAAAAAAAHGw/DniKeYX8oRIC-bbOvwGYYBnTRcN_irf0ACLcB/s640/15232269_1813707025552569_3025685831126327794_n.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor in East Orlando, FL. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/nathanpbryant">Follow @nathanpbryant</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-70151043007937404052016-12-11T19:25:00.001-05:002016-12-11T19:26:01.576-05:00Advent 2016: Gaudete Sunday <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaL3hummviA/Vm3ccUIRcHI/AAAAAAAAEr4/hLd_GOlEjVI/s1600/Day-13-Lyric-Art_Advent_3840x2160.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aaL3hummviA/Vm3ccUIRcHI/AAAAAAAAEr4/hLd_GOlEjVI/s640/Day-13-Lyric-Art_Advent_3840x2160.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Advent reading for&nbsp;<i>"</i>Gaudete Sunday" (Gow-Day-Tay). <br /><br />This week is the turning point in Advent for Christians, in the glow of the lights of Hope and Peace, this is the week we celebrate the Joy of Christ's coming...<br /><br />We are using the familiar Advent hymn, "Joy to the World" and it's lyrics to formulate the wonder and joy we can experience this evening and this week. Joy to the World, a tradtional Advent hymn is one we have sung as a Christmas song since our childhood, but with little attention to what the words actually speak to. It is an Advent hymn, not a Christmas carol for this specific reason: Joy to the World was written as a celebration for Christ's Second coming, not just His first.<br /><br /><br /><i>“Joy to the World the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her king!”</i><br />On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the Joy candle. It is a different color because it symbolizes our mood switching away from waiting and longing and instead into a state of preparing. We know Jesus is coming, and He is coming very soon. As we think about what it meant to the people when Christ came the first time, it helps us prepare for His return. He will not come as an infant again, but as a reigning King. <br /><br /><i>“Joy to the World, the Savior Reigns. Let men their songs employ!” </i><br /><br /><br />As Christians, we talk about Joy often, but yet we so often confuse it with a feeling. Happiness is a feeling, but Joy is always a choice. Mary and Joseph could have chosen to be frustrated and angry that there was no room for them in the inn, yet they found all that they needed in the stable. They chose to find the Joy that God offered them. The circumstances of their situation did not rob them of the joy of Christ coming.<br /><br />How about you? Are there circumstances in life that rob you of the Joy Christ gives us each new day? The reason we sing these familiar carols is because their message rings true each year…<br /><i><br /></i><i>“Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room, and Heaven and Nature sing.” </i><br /><br />The picture of Joy in the Bible shows us that Joy is trusting when you want to doubt, like Joseph when he found out that Mary was pregnant. It is receiving when you want to reject, like Mary being so obedient to the will of God. And it is celebrating when you want to fear, like the Shepherds when the angel appeared.<br /><br />And so it is always a choice, The Gospel offers us that choice. This Christmas season we pray that you will not only find the Hope of Christ and the Peace of Christ, but also the joy that He continually gives. The darkness after all is beginning to fade and the true light of the world is coming. <br /><br /><i>“He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove!” </i><br /><br /><u><i>*Light Candle While Reading this Scripture*</i></u><br /><br />That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” <br /><br />Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, <br /><br />“Glory to God in highest heaven, <br /> and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” <br /><br />When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” <br />(Luke 2:8-15 NLT) <br /><br /><b>PRAYER:</b><br /><br />Father God, <br /><br />Thank you for the gift of your son to us. This Christmas season we pray that we would experience your presence in a new way, and the Joy only you give overflowing. We know that you are here, among us. Jesus, continue to guide us to yourself this season and always.<br /><br />In your name, Jesus we pray, Amen. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBrhFGNXPCc/WE3uRg6ZlZI/AAAAAAAAG_4/BLfPx3Qt9OswdPhIiSJLQuANi11fHl8ogCLcB/s1600/15225269_1106161316170457_2137115419_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TBrhFGNXPCc/WE3uRg6ZlZI/AAAAAAAAG_4/BLfPx3Qt9OswdPhIiSJLQuANi11fHl8ogCLcB/s640/15225269_1106161316170457_2137115419_o.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor in East Orlando, FL.&nbsp;As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology.&nbsp; In 2014 he attended the Leadership Institute in Phoenix, AZ where he continued his education from other pastors and educators at one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/nathanpbryant">Follow @nathanpbryant</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-7397478352519356042016-12-07T13:56:00.000-05:002016-12-07T13:56:23.456-05:00Advent Devo 12/7This past Sunday we read and meditated on the theme of Peace as we lit the second candle of the Advent wreath. We are reminded that Jesus is the peace of the world offered to us. He provides peace to us, peace that surpasses all understanding, peace that brings us rest.<br /><br />In Isaiah we read about God's people who are rebelling in many different ways. They are oppressing people, destroying relationships, and just going through the motions with their religious ceremonies.<br /><br />God wanted their hearts, but they weren't budging.<br /><br />So God promised judgment in order to grab their attention again.<br /><br />But even though the nation would fall away there would last a remnant.<br /><br />Isaiah uses the image of a tree, God's axe is sharpened and ready to hit... When he fells the tree there will only be a stump left.... But... God in His mercy will raise a new shoot from the stump and provide us with a rest and a peace that would continue for all generations.<br /><br />Today, think on how you can rest in Jesus.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5djW5SbXQAw/WEeRABzjPcI/AAAAAAAAG8s/0GKM0rIFKm0/s640/blogger-image--2038318767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5djW5SbXQAw/WEeRABzjPcI/AAAAAAAAG8s/0GKM0rIFKm0/s640/blogger-image--2038318767.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-24909186348922123432016-12-06T10:42:00.003-05:002016-12-06T10:44:27.229-05:00Advent Devo 12/6<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;">HE Made Peace </span></b></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TaMWEV2fn4/WEbb9IuIICI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/c4KM4c22hU4DdyslokrjbYrQgcUx4lNmwCLcB/s1600/15327388_10211033530453911_7473642370251292050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3TaMWEV2fn4/WEbb9IuIICI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/c4KM4c22hU4DdyslokrjbYrQgcUx4lNmwCLcB/s640/15327388_10211033530453911_7473642370251292050_n.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />We are a divided people.<br /><br />That's a no-brainer.<br /><br />But what Jesus calls us to is Unity. Unity with each other, deep love for each other, and to take care of each other.<br /><br />These are the things that Jesus said would make us stand out in the world... more than that, these are things that the Global Church should be marked by.<br /><br />I have found that everyone loves the idea of unity... until they have to actually get dirty.<br /><br />We all feel that others should bend to our way of doing things, we want the least amount of compromise as possible.<br /><br />However, there is also something about the Christmas season that allows us to forgo some of our stubborness. This is the season where churches across denominational lines do more together than any time else. It's also a time that is noted for being a season where people can come together for common causes.<br /><br />I love that. It is definitely a step in the right direction in my eyes... but I want to call us to something deeper. I think the root cause of most of our divisiveness is a lack of peace.<br /><br />We don't have peace of mind ourselves. We lack peace in our relationships. And... we have a fear of a lack of peace with God. We have sayings like "He has to make his peace with God."<br /><br />The problem with that mentality is that we can't make peace with God.<br /><br />It's impossible.<br /><br />That's why God did it for us. He made peace with Himself, for our sake.<br /><br />Today, dwell on that. Remember that Peace, which even now seems so unattainable, was attained for us. Rest in that. Worship in that. Revel in the mystery of Christ unfolding before our very hearts.<br /><br />And... ask yourself, who can you make peace with this Christmas season? What steps can you take to make peace with a fellow Christian, friend, or people group? Be honest with yourself with who you may need to make peace with, and take a step today toward making that a reality.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HE66OjRCfEs/WEbcXNijPOI/AAAAAAAAG8U/4b8D8RwOPJMnilcFr2H4hKOIl0hQjIjrwCLcB/s1600/15271652_1106161209503801_621540960_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HE66OjRCfEs/WEbcXNijPOI/AAAAAAAAG8U/4b8D8RwOPJMnilcFr2H4hKOIl0hQjIjrwCLcB/s640/15271652_1106161209503801_621540960_o.png" width="620" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-92017164810649087172016-12-04T23:08:00.000-05:002016-12-04T23:08:23.923-05:00Advent Devo 12/5<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Hope For All The World </span></b></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUuaSTuZ4x0/WETmdZvqYnI/AAAAAAAAG7w/jNSCAOwOkks/s640/blogger-image-2054929146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-center: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUuaSTuZ4x0/WETmdZvqYnI/AAAAAAAAG7w/jNSCAOwOkks/s640/blogger-image-2054929146.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My thought today is simple, short, but also challenging.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday we lit the Peace candle. We prayed that Christ would bring the peace of God into our hearts. We prayed for peace with each other, peace in he midst of our struggles and bad circumstances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I read this passage I am reminded of His peaceful voice, of His peaceful presence.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm also reminded that we are nothing like that. We don't like being called servants, yet Jesus, the righteous King became a servant to us. We love to be heard, especially in a shouting match or a debate, Jesus however chose a quiet confidence. According to Isaiah, He didn't shout or raise His voice in public. He is gentle, a flickering flame can survive his breath, a bruised reed remain intact despite His touch. For us, it seems every day we find new ways to inflict violence upon each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He is committed to justice, and He is the Hope of the entire world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What if we looked more like Him? What if we made those kinds of commitments? What if we led out our calling as the Church to BE the Hope and Light of Jesus to the world? What if we cared about justice as much as we cared about winning an argument? What if we stopped treating Jesus like a good idea, a moral to ascribe to, a club to join, and instead pledged our allegiance to His Kingship...what if we obeyed like never before? What if we became radical about loving others?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What if, instead of praying for peace for ourselves... We became the miracle of peace in someone else's life?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just something to think about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Scripture Readings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ciKIPe2_i2M/WETm64fT17I/AAAAAAAAG70/iR0pFf85mfA/s640/blogger-image--1326329454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ciKIPe2_i2M/WETm64fT17I/AAAAAAAAG70/iR0pFf85mfA/s640/blogger-image--1326329454.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-57958435269173872912016-12-03T22:19:00.000-05:002016-12-03T22:19:03.913-05:00Advent 2016: PeaceToday is the second Sunday of Advent, where we move our focus on the theme of PEACE.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Peace. It is hard to even contemplate what the word means anymore. We no longer live in a world where we experience the meaning of peace. But did we ever live in such a world?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The people of the Old Testament had recognized the promise of God in sending a savior. They were rooted in that hope. But Peace is what they needed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />Psalm 85:6-13 says-<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Won’t you revive us again,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>so your people can rejoice in you?<br />Show us your unfailing love, O&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>and grant us your salvation.<br />I listen carefully to what God the&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>&nbsp;is saying,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>for he speaks peace to his faithful people.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>But let them not return to their foolish ways.<br />Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>so our land will be filled with his glory.<br />Unfailing love and truth have met together.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Righteousness and peace have kissed!<br />Truth springs up from the earth,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>and righteousness smiles down from heaven.<br />Yes, the&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>&nbsp;pours down his blessings.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Our land will yield its bountiful harvest.<br />Righteousness goes as a herald before him,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>preparing the way for his steps.</blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal">How heavy is your heart this Christmas season? In a world of chaos, shadow, hurt, disappointment, eagerness… is it even possible to contemplate what peace truly means anymore?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Beyond the shopping. Beyond the rushing around. Beyond the presents and toys. Beyond the friendly gatherings. Beyond the chaos of life. There lies a child, in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is heaven’s answer to our troubled world. He is Heaven’s blessing poured down, unfailing love, truth meeting together in a peaceful sleeping infant.<br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This precious, innocent, infant would grow up to be our reconciler with God and humanity. Do you hear his voice? It is soft, it is easily forgotten, like the cry that cracked the silence of God for over 400 years, it is easily missed. But He speaks peace to you, right where you are.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We remember the words of Jesus on the night he was betrayed, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” And “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">When the prophets spoke of peace, they didn’t just mean making everything calm, they were talking about peace for the whole of life. Jesus taught us the same thing. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus came to put everything right. He came to help us love one another and accept one another, even when we are very different or even disagree with each other. He came to include the poor, the lonely the unusual and rejected. He came to bring peace between one another. He came to show us that God forgives us for all the wrong things we do and that we can be at peace with God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Advent Candle today represents Peace. Just as on the night when Jesus was born, peace came into the world, so today, as we invite Jesus in and live in his way, his peace can transform our fear, hurt, anger, and resentment. As we light this candle and read a Scripture, think about who you may need to make peace with.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Isaiah 26:3-19-</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><blockquote class="tr_bq">You will keep in perfect peace<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>all who trust in you,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>all whose thoughts are fixed on you!<br />Trust in the&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>&nbsp;always,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>for the&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord God</span>&nbsp;is the eternal Rock.<br />He humbles the proud<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>and brings down the arrogant city.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>He brings it down to the dust.<br />The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>and the needy walk all over it.<br />But for those who are righteous,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>the way is not steep and rough.<br />You are a God who does what is right,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>and you smooth out the path ahead of them.<br /><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.<br />In the night I search for you;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>in the morning I earnestly seek you.<br />For only when you come to judge the earth<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>will people learn what is right.<br /><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, you will grant us peace;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>all we have accomplished is really from you.<br />O&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>&nbsp;our God, others have ruled us,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>but you alone are the one we worship.<br /><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, in distress we searched for you.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>We prayed beneath the burden of your discipline.<br />Just as a pregnant woman<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>writhes and cries out in pain as she gives birth,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>so were we in your presence,&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>.<br />We, too, writhe in agony,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>but nothing comes of our suffering.<br />We have not given salvation to the earth,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>nor brought life into the world.<br />But those who die in the&nbsp;<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>&nbsp;will live;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>their bodies will rise again!<br />Those who sleep in the earth<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>will rise up and sing for joy!<br />For your life-giving light will fall like dew<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>on your people.</blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Prayer:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonder you have sent us:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus, your Son, our Advocate of peace, the Elegant Champion of reconciliation, Your victories echo harmoniously. You teach us the way towards peace, help us as we carry the torch of peace to our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods that it may reside within our hearts and radiate in our surroundings. Through the grace of Your power, transform the world into a Heaven. You are the only hope of mankind.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In our world this day Give peace, we pray. Because there is no one else who will fight for us If not You, our God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In Jesus’ name. Amen.<br /><br /><br />Individual Readings:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKMZKRMNzLs/WEOK7jL6m7I/AAAAAAAAG2Y/RV6Oq5kamMw3ZwGV2ZqxPNLeDKJ8xnXFwCLcB/s1600/15271681_1106161199503802_1804084706_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sKMZKRMNzLs/WEOK7jL6m7I/AAAAAAAAG2Y/RV6Oq5kamMw3ZwGV2ZqxPNLeDKJ8xnXFwCLcB/s640/15271681_1106161199503802_1804084706_o.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-25786393738896068852016-12-02T23:55:00.001-05:002016-12-03T00:38:45.074-05:00Advent Devo 12/3<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Why Christ Came</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b2KEaokiulo/WEJZzAMQTOI/AAAAAAAAG10/pGSQjjco04I/s640/blogger-image-1678840690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b2KEaokiulo/WEJZzAMQTOI/AAAAAAAAG10/pGSQjjco04I/s640/blogger-image-1678840690.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>The incarnation of Christ is one of the greatest mysteries to ever behold... And yet, much of our belief system rest upon it. Why did Jesus come? He tells us why He came when Mark recorded Him saying, "to seek and to save the lost."</div><div><br /></div><div>Why did He come the way He did? Why as a human? Hebrews 2 gives us that answer. Becoming fully human was the only way He could die. Think about that. Let it resonate within you. Most people spend their lifetime looking for ways to avoid death, or at least to postpone it as long as possible. Jesus came as His number one mission to die. God came down to die. The only way He could achieve that is to become one of us, truly, wholly, one of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why did He have to die? Hebrews tells us that too. Only by dying could he break the power that death has upon us all. Only by dying Himself could he take away the devil's greatest weapon and turn it into the gateway unto Life. I know that in the midst of this happy season of preparing for family, partying, buying gifts, enjoying those Lifetime/Hallmark Christmas movies, and singing songs about Grandma getting run over by reindeer it is so easy to focus on us. Advent calls us to focus on Him.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, the Christmas sermons and even the best of Advent devotionals, designed to help us remain true during this season, can also sometimes forget to draw us back far enough to see the whole picture. We aren't remembering just the baby in the manger. We aren't thinking only about Jesus coming again. We must remember the purpose for which He came the first time: to die.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is usually what we focus our thoughts on during Good Friday, but perhaps it is good to remember it during Advent too. God left heave, wrapping Himself with flesh, becoming of the same substance that He formed Adam to be...down to the molecular level. Jesus experienced everything about humanity that we all experience. And then He laid it all down and submitted His own body, His own glory, His own humanity upon a Roman cross.</div><div><br /></div><div>For us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Us.</div><div><br /></div><div>We who know nothing but how to sin. We who had brought death into the world to begin with. We who have crafted and invented the most tortuous ways to inflict pain and bring about death toward our fellow Creation. We who have so mismanaged our own time given to us to live, move, and Be upon this planet... We killed the author of Life.</div><div><br /></div><div>And in return... He loves. He forgives. He renews. He offers Life.</div><div><br /></div><div>But don't despair, we know that Easter tells a different ending than what would be expected. We also know that because of the death of Death, we are offered Life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of Jesus, we are no longer slaves to fear, not even the fear of death.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zEmg2aqM7-Q/WEJZz08394I/AAAAAAAAG14/WoBkDJFYhCY/s640/blogger-image--1958427003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zEmg2aqM7-Q/WEJZz08394I/AAAAAAAAG14/WoBkDJFYhCY/s640/blogger-image--1958427003.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-22300804401625971412016-12-01T19:51:00.001-05:002016-12-01T23:21:48.301-05:00Advent Devo 12/2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;">They Shall See a Great Light!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9nknc_U3syI/WECOZfCwU4I/AAAAAAAAG0s/w0Pk93gqgf8/s640/blogger-image--812547488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="615" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9nknc_U3syI/WECOZfCwU4I/AAAAAAAAG0s/w0Pk93gqgf8/s640/blogger-image--812547488.jpg" width="615"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is one my favorite passages in Scripture. Not only because of the great imagery, the great promise, and the hope it inspires... but because of how many times the New Testament alludes to the imagery found in this passage. The Apostle John wastes no time exclaiming that Jesus is that light that has come in his Gospel account of Jesus' life.</div><br>John the Baptist proclaims that he is paving the way for the coming of the Lord, the coming of this Messiah who will rest the government upon His shoulders.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Paul makes it clear throughout his life actions and his writings that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything we have hoped for... that He is the light to a darkened world, and that His Kingdom is far greater than anything we could ever comprehend.</div><br>I love how Isaiah incarnates the entire Godhead in who this Light will be... Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace... Jesus isn't the Father, but He shows the heart of the Father to the world. He isn't the Counselor, but he showers the love and power of the Holy Spirit upon all who listen to His words. All of God was and is involved in this Light coming, and the redemption of the Universe drawing nigh.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This promise isn't one that has just a singular fulfillment though... this promise is one that we cling to as Christ followers. It is a promise we proclaim to the world. Sin's shadow is still upon this earth. The fog of disillusionment is blinding. It is seemingly an unstoppable contagion.</div><br>Death still holds our humanity in check.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are still so many people who live in a land of darkness. There are so many who walk along in the pitch.</div><br>The thing about darkness is that there can never be too much darkness that a single ray of light cannot penetrate.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This promise is for us: For we still are led to valleys where the shadow of death overwhelm our weak hearts. We cling to this promise because we know our Shepherd, who will guide us, comfort us, and lead us will never be extinguished by a Shadow. Death holds our humanity in check, but Our King holds Death in checkmate.</div><br>This promise is for the world: A world that is still walking in darkness, whether it be cultural bondage, inward slavery to self-gratification, bondage to specific habitual sins, geography, persecution...<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe it is the millions who live in war-torn regions, poverty stricken communities, drought and famine plagued countryside.</div><br>Perhaps the millions who are threatened with violence, they who live steeped in gloom, and despair... Light has come. This promise is for them: Light is coming. Light is what is living inside of the Church. Light is what they need. This world has been walking in darkness too long... This world needs hope.<br><br><br><br>And the local Church holds the hope of the world.<br><blockquote class="tr_bq">You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.</blockquote><div style="text-align: right;">-Matthew 5:14-16</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALGDyaKwATM/WEDEqlntr9I/AAAAAAAAG1M/N0OCjNnXh1EFvEbnEtw3cvh5y-TYSU1jwCLcB/s1600/15215853_1106161226170466_846579078_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALGDyaKwATM/WEDEqlntr9I/AAAAAAAAG1M/N0OCjNnXh1EFvEbnEtw3cvh5y-TYSU1jwCLcB/s640/15215853_1106161226170466_846579078_o.png" width="620"></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-59236345182199513302016-11-30T21:57:00.001-05:002016-12-01T15:58:21.939-05:00Advent Devo 12/1<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YicH3EiehMs/WD-Mafmt0wI/AAAAAAAAG0U/5Ug7neQ_xnY/s640/blogger-image--208292002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YicH3EiehMs/WD-Mafmt0wI/AAAAAAAAG0U/5Ug7neQ_xnY/s640/blogger-image--208292002.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />God works all things together for the Good!<br /><br />We have heard it quoted, and tossed around so often that it is easy to let the weight of that truth lessen and lessen.<br /><br />It's a phrase found from Paul's letter to the Romans.<br /><br />I think it is something that is proven true when we look at the Christmas story.<br /><br />Do you remember the circumstances surrounding Mary and Joseph's trip to Bethlehem?<br /><br />A tax collection. The Roman emperor wanted a census taken for tax purposes. Luke records every level of government being involved. More taxes upon an already oppressed people... just what Israel needed. What a wonderful time to celebrate.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”</blockquote></div><div><div style="text-align: right;">-Luke 2:1-7 NLT</div></div><div><br /><br />The strange thing is, that even though this was burdensome to an entire nation, specifically very burdensome to a young, poor carpenter from Galilee and his pregnant fiancée, God used it to bring about a number of fulfilled prophecies as well as bring Jesus to exactly where he needed to be born for a number of things to take place.<br /><br />So the question then is... what circumstances do you find yourself in today? The ones that may not make any sense. The ones that may be hard, sad, and unprovoked.<br /><br />How do you find yourself this Christmas/Advent season?<br /><br />Perhaps not everything is going well right now, maybe you are scratching your head and wondering if God is really on your side?<br /><br />Can I remind you of something?<br /><br />Bethlehem wasn't a 5 star resort. Jesus understands hard times. He was born in a stable. He isn't apathetic to your needs or your problems.<br />Bethlehem was a very humble beginning. Jesus made himself low. He didn't come with power and might. He didn't come as a retributive force. He isn't angry with you.<br /><br />Bethlehem was the last place you would expect God to make himself visible... and yet... there He was... in a manger, visible. He isn't absent.<br /><br />May your hearts be like Bethlehem. May Jesus be welcomed into your life fully and completely. May he not be turned away, because your inn is full. May your life, and your circumstances become mist as you gaze upon the God in a feeding trough.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKJYDXBVwgY/WD-Mqf1FM-I/AAAAAAAAG0Y/UO2T74T9NRI/s640/blogger-image--1578259427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKJYDXBVwgY/WD-Mqf1FM-I/AAAAAAAAG0Y/UO2T74T9NRI/s640/blogger-image--1578259427.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-46181446085708556392016-11-29T23:42:00.004-05:002016-11-29T23:42:56.581-05:00Advent Devo 11/30<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KryWGGHM7wQ/WD5YMvS_B5I/AAAAAAAAGzw/IzU6sW3nrQE/s640/blogger-image--1109599946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KryWGGHM7wQ/WD5YMvS_B5I/AAAAAAAAGzw/IzU6sW3nrQE/s640/blogger-image--1109599946.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pay close attention to these words from Luke 1. They are Zechariah's words spoken over his new son John. This is the same John who became known as John the Baptist, that is, the one who God sent to prepare the way for Jesus.<br /><div><br /></div><div>As much as these words are about John and what he will accomplish in his life while serving God and preparing the movement for Jesus' ministry, these words are also about God. God has remained faithful to His people. God is sending a deliverer. God is speaking. The times of silence are over. The times of confusion have past. God is speaking... Are we listening?</div><div><br /></div><div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq">“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”</blockquote></div><div><div style="text-align: right;">-Luke 1:68-79 NLT</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Today's other readings:</div><div><br /></div><div>Psalm 124</div><div>Isaiah 54:1-10</div><div>Matthew 24:23-35</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-1551436317957091462016-11-28T22:28:00.002-05:002016-11-28T22:28:10.538-05:00Advent Devo 11/29<div><blockquote class="tr_bq">“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.””</blockquote></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: right;">-Luke 1:46-55 NLT</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Mary responded to the announcement given by the angel Gabriel with the above song. It is commonly referred to as her Magnificat. Gods message through Gabriel was that God was going to make much of her, that He has picked her. She was chosen. She had been highly favored. God was magnifying her &nbsp;in a way by choosing her to be the mother of the Christ, Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: large;">What is very telling and truly beautiful about Mary's spirit is that she in turn makes much of God. She worships Him.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kIaqIhKCshY/WDzsSwUkurI/AAAAAAAAGzM/p7TBa1AFA6I/s640/blogger-image--63440292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kIaqIhKCshY/WDzsSwUkurI/AAAAAAAAGzM/p7TBa1AFA6I/s1600/blogger-image--63440292.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><br />Mary stands in the Biblical tradition of Jael and Judith, the other two women within Jewish literature to be addressed as "Blessed are you among women." Moreover, her song (the Magnificat), reflects the revolutionary words of Miriam's song (Exo 15), Deborah's (Judges 5), and Hannah's (1 Sam 2). Furthermore, Mary's commission is very similar to the call of Moses (Exo 3:2-6, 10-12) and Gideon (Judges 6:11-24), both who played a major part in God liberating His people.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Protestants have long missed out on looking to Mary as a true role model, both for men and women. Her spirit of submission to God's call upon her life, her willingness to be used by Him in a way that would surely &gt;rob her of her reputation, her strength and dignity that she carried herself with, and everything that went into raising the Savior of the Universe is something to admire and venerate.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Out of caution to go too far and worship her as some Christians fall into the trap of doing, we can easily go too far and diminish her. This Advent, I pray and hope that you will see Mary for who she was: a true, humble servant of our King. Let us strive to emulate that.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NweFNOr8fiw/WDz1MzxAd1I/AAAAAAAAGzc/eapv7uVNmdwv6O4uP-3ud9QJIw2OiyE-ACLcB/s1600/15231548_1106161202837135_2043590244_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NweFNOr8fiw/WDz1MzxAd1I/AAAAAAAAGzc/eapv7uVNmdwv6O4uP-3ud9QJIw2OiyE-ACLcB/s640/15231548_1106161202837135_2043590244_o.png" width="620" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-1126787802646274692016-11-27T22:25:00.001-05:002016-11-27T22:25:30.214-05:00Advent Devo 11/28<div>Each day there will be some readings, taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. I will also provide some words to accompany one or two passages to focus our thoughts and time each day.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v2CaXssUW4Q/WDujpc4DYRI/AAAAAAAAGyg/W7A770FXx_4/s640/blogger-image--1955587580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v2CaXssUW4Q/WDujpc4DYRI/AAAAAAAAGyg/W7A770FXx_4/s640/blogger-image--1955587580.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Today we prepare ourselves for the beginning of this journey. Advent is after all a journey, we are pursuing Christ's coming into our world, into our own lives by perusing the Scriptures and allowing those sacred words to mold our thoughts during this time.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Today we have one passage to meditate on. The angel Gabriel said these words to Zechariah about his son-to-be, John the Baptist. John's words and legacy propelled Jesus' ministry forward. His job was to prepare the people for the coming of Christ. How will you prepare this Advent season? What can you do, what will you do, to meditate upon what the coming of Christ means today?<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--q3IWgFmwCA/WDujqZwqeyI/AAAAAAAAGyk/0xEnS4pmAPo/s640/blogger-image--1694218077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--q3IWgFmwCA/WDujqZwqeyI/AAAAAAAAGyk/0xEnS4pmAPo/s640/blogger-image--1694218077.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-34525079165638019732016-11-26T22:20:00.000-05:002016-11-26T22:20:36.422-05:00Advent 2016: Hold On To HopeWhat is one thing that you cannot live without?<br /><br />If we did a survey or even just a simple Google search I am sure we would come up with all the obvious ones, as well as some of the superficial ones. <br /><br /><div>Your job? Your family?<br />How about your pets?<br />The beach?<br />Your hobbies?<br />Maybe, for you it is WiFi, or at least it seems that way when you can’t seem to ever get a connection.<br /><br />We could go down an endless list, but what I don’t think we would find listed anywhere is hope. <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHPk-kdqVso/WDpNja1DfDI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/cASP47FuAq0LYvaGqk3M1Ukzmlbg8ll4QCLcB/s1600/Day-21-Lyric-Art_Advent_3840x2160_3840x2160.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iHPk-kdqVso/WDpNja1DfDI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/cASP47FuAq0LYvaGqk3M1Ukzmlbg8ll4QCLcB/s640/Day-21-Lyric-Art_Advent_3840x2160_3840x2160.png" width="620" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><br /><br />I’m not sure anything is more essential to getting out of bed in the morning, and yet it is not something we think of often. In fact, it seems the only time we think about hope is when we feel hope-less.<br /><br />Hope may not be in the front of our minds, but it certainly seems to be everywhere else. We see it on political signs, Hallmark cards, we name our little girls after it. Fifteen cities in the U.S. are named Hope, four more in Canada, two in the United Kingdom, and one in New Zealand.<br /><br />Hope is the name of five movies, a TV network, a computer programming language, sixteen ships in the Royal Navy, a Slovakian Political Party, three different colleges and universities, an island, and a railway station.<br /><br />Hope is everywhere.<br /><br />Except sometimes… we have the hardest time finding it inside of ourselves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We all need hope.</span></b></div><br />The people of the Story, (what I like to refer to the real people who lived thousands of years ago in the Biblical record), needed hope. <br /><br />And they found it, in the most unlikely of places… and the most unlikely of persons.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. </blockquote><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">We are separated from the people of the Old Testament by more than just time. Sure, time may be the biggest issue, but there are other significant cultural, geographical, worldview, and general mindsets that separate us. The angst of life without the ease and comfort that technology beckons us with was categorically different for the people who lived in the Story of Scripture.</div><br />However, something that is true for all people, at all times, and in all places is that we all need hope.<br /><br />The people of the Story found themselves in a sticky situation. Well, they found themselves there a whole lot. Whereas their situation was deeply spiritual, just like us, they always got caught up with the political, economical, and social issues on top of it all. <br /><br />These people weren’t experiencing a spiritual exile alone, they were also experiencing a physical exile. Something most of us will never experience.<br /><br />But just like us today, where it is so easy to be distracted by all the things we think we could not live without… the Story shows us that they felt that way too.<br /><br />To them it wasn’t an iPhone, it was their land.<br /></div><div>They didn’t try keeping up with Mr. and Mrs. Jones, but they were trying to communally keep up with their actual enemies. <br /><br />They clung for and longed for the realization of their hope, that God would provide for all their needs. <br /><br />God did not always rescue them from their enemies in the moment. He didn’t split the Red Sea for every situation. Sometimes He let them be dragged away. Sometimes He let the enemy destroy their city, their home, their land… their temple. <br /><br />Sometimes He let Rome invade and subjugate them. Sometimes He allowed them to be exiled even whilst living in their home.<br /><br />How often have we felt that God has abandoned us? We aren’t alone.<br />How often has it seemed that God made a mistake? We aren’t alone thinking that either.<br /><br />But, we cry out, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel… and we are reminded of His Word:</div><div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine...</b>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.<br />The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.<br />His government and its peace will never end.<br />He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.<br />The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!</blockquote>This first week of Advent we remember that God provides HOPE in the midst of chaos. He will come through and make every Right and Just. He alone brings Peace. He alone is passionate about His commitment to us.<br /><br />When the storms come… and they come all the time… Our God gave us HOPE to hold on to.<br /><br />At His word, the storms cease. At His Word we find redemption and at His Word, we find our Hope.<br /><br />Hold onto that…<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: right;">-Romans 8:23-25 NLT</blockquote></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-29852137963119989762016-11-22T16:15:00.004-05:002016-11-22T16:15:59.673-05:00The Spirit of Advent is the Spirit of Humanity Fully Alive - Advent 2016<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSjSrl26dA4/WDS0bkKZ9xI/AAAAAAAAGxs/JAvtFM-vsH8kyUXmIk3YsTyqSazZayzbQCLcB/s1600/advent-wreath-517165_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSjSrl26dA4/WDS0bkKZ9xI/AAAAAAAAGxs/JAvtFM-vsH8kyUXmIk3YsTyqSazZayzbQCLcB/s320/advent-wreath-517165_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a>For a lot of people, Christmas is not always the “most wonderful time of the year.” Between visiting family, buying presents, sending out Christmas cards, and everything else; what is supposed to be a special time can turn into a hectic and stressful few weeks.<br /><br />Interference. Inconvenience. And if your family who will gather this year will be talking about the recent election… Well, intolerance too. But the tradition of Advent calls Christians to slow down and think more about what the season was designed for.<br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>So what is Advent?&nbsp;</b></span><br /><br />Advent is a strange word to us. It sounds incomplete, like someone was trying to say “adventure” or “Adventist” but didn’t finish the word out. What’s up with the strange word and the strange candle lighting thing anyway? Advent, which is the Latin word for “Coming”, is perhaps one of the oldest Christian traditions. Some suggest it was founded even by the Apostles, that once a year Christians would set aside a prolonged period of time and remember the first coming of Christ, the darkness that surrounded the world so tightly until light came. We do this so we might better prepare our minds and hearts for his second coming… a promise that Christmas gives us. There are three meanings of ‘coming’ that Christians describe in Advent. The first, and most thought of, happened about 2000 years ago when Jesus came into the world as a baby to live as a man and die for us. The second can happen now as Jesus comes into our lives to live and reign through His Spirit. And the third will happen in the future when Jesus comes back to the world as King and Judge.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Why Advent?&nbsp;</b></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The spirit of Advent is the spirit of humanity fully alive.&nbsp;</i></div><br />We are living in an opportunistic, individualistic, consumer driven culture. The calendar has merged into sales peaks. Black Friday has completely engulfed Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday has become every teen’s favorite day of the year, and now I hear commercials trying to push Small Business Saturday. If we don’t take a more aggressive and even offensive stance, we will always end up getting swallowed up by the deluge of what the culture is purporting.<br /><br />If one were to go onto any financial website, all one would read right now are the predictions for the spending of this year’s holiday season and to make sure you get your tax break by giving to charity. We’re living in a culture that’s all about consumerism, and it ends up steamrolling the end of the year.<br /><br />With a blink of an eye all of a sudden, Thanksgiving and Christmas become a blur of craziness. Then we’re left, barely standing, holding a candle at church on Christmas Eve going, “Oh yeah, it really was all about the night when Christ was born.” While the world celebrates Santa Claus, Egg nog, great sales, and high energy festivities, WE reflect on the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. You might be thinking, “We have Charlie Brown for that thank you very much!” And of course by focusing on the true story of Christmas found in Luke 2 we can in fact focus our minds and hearts where they ought to be. But if we are honest, the Christmas season has become less and less about hope, peace, joy, and love and has become more and more about presents, lights, and the color of Starbucks’ cups.<br /><br />When we recover Advent, we are reminded that this season is about a promise that God is going to do what God has promised He is going to do. And He’s going to do that for every single one of us who has put our hope in Him.<br /><br />Though Advent is the traditional start of the Church liturgical calendar, this season was eventually placed at the end of the year in our culture’s calendar so that we could invite everyone to remember all the moments that Christ “came” throughout the past year.<br /><br />And He did come to you.<br /><br />He came in the same ways He always has. In those moments when we least expected Him, in the most unforeseen ways, and when, whether we realized it or not, when we needed Him most.<br /><br />This time of the year is a 4 week long moment to remember His faithfulness.<br /><br />In the hubbub of the rush and the noise this season brings, there is something refreshing, as well as a deep type of connection with our past when we slow down, when we pause in our efforts, and reflect on all the ways Christ has offered Himself, and His presence throughout our year to us and to those around us.<br /><br />Advent isn’t a celebration, though it can quickly become one. Advent is truly a time of mourning, of angst, as we prepare for the Christmas feast and the honor we bestow upon our King and Redeemer. It is a season where we dig deep into our roots as Christ’s Body on earth and we continue in a practice of humility, repentance, and worship. This tradition is as ancient as the words of our favorite carols. This tradition is as sacred as our opening of presents on Christmas morning. However, this tradition may just be the most important thing you observe this year.<br /><br />Every day for the next four weeks of the Advent season I will be posting a short devotional to help gear our minds and thoughts on what is the most important aspect of our faith and our day to day life.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Advent is Needed Today&nbsp;</b></span><br /><br />Advent is a time for a humility check. It’s been a crazy year. We’ve had very pompous people to look up to in the midst of the election that stretched on what felt like forever. We’ve had a lot of fear to behold as the world seems to continue spinning into darker and darker days. We’ve lost people this year. We’ve broken things this year. We’ve experienced shame and moments of depression. We’ve collectively mourned the deaths of innocent lives, of police officers, of soldiers. We have made mistakes. We have hurt people, and we have been hurt. Some of us have had the best year of our lives, and it is so easy to forget how we got to where we are.<br /><br />As Father Time continues to flip the pages of our calendars this moment is needed to pause and be able to look inside ourselves and understand that none of us have made it to our destination yet. We are all, like Paul, straining towards what’s ahead.<br /><br />Our world is dark and chaotic. Among all of our happy moments and victories this year, we have also, all of us, experienced heartache and pain. Some of us may be facing Christmas this year with a family one less than last year. Perhaps the year was financially straining. Divorce. Rebellion. Death. Sin. Breakups. Fear. Our world is under a dark shadow of terrorism. Our nation is divided like never before over political partisanship. In the midst of all our darkness we find ourselves singing the chorus of the martyrs, “How long, Oh Lord? Come Lord Jesus!”<br /><br />So this year, just as a star guided the wise men from the East to the baby King, I want to step back and let an ancient tradition be our guide through this season. For we are all seeking the Presence of our God this Christmas.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine… For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod… For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” –Isaiah 9:2-6&nbsp;</blockquote><br />I hope that the devotionals I will be offering you and the readings I will post each Sunday will act as an anchor for your family through the coming weeks to remember the most important, and the most wonderful news of all: Jesus is Coming. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yHZb8bu6W0/WDS1G3vIxvI/AAAAAAAAGxw/TeoVXKbHpPAI7w_sQn2Ap2jny4SnwmOkwCLcB/s1600/12366151_10207924871579382_7254000722836924499_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9yHZb8bu6W0/WDS1G3vIxvI/AAAAAAAAGxw/TeoVXKbHpPAI7w_sQn2Ap2jny4SnwmOkwCLcB/s640/12366151_10207924871579382_7254000722836924499_o.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-83900834588736355422016-10-31T13:32:00.002-04:002016-10-31T13:44:40.207-04:00Redeeming HalloweenIn the midst of a divided world it is hard to cling to things that bring us together, there seems to be less and less issues or beliefs that we can grasp at just to hold the facade of unity. This isn't just as members of the Human race but all the way down to our own neighborhoods.<br /><br />It seems that anything and everything we can argue over or divide over... well, we do. Whether it is the political tension that seems to be growing and growing the closer we approach November 8th, the changes in the economy, the conflicts in the Middle East, whether we should allow power companies to monopolize solar energy (Yes, I'm looking at you Florida!), heck, we are even arguing over which service provider is best for our cell phones at an all time high. Sprint, Verizon... Can you hear ME now?<br /><br />Perhaps for me to point a spotlight at the newest elephant in the room that seems to slide in every October, I would just be giving us another reason to argue... but alas, I'm going to do it anyway.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ImbsaXPxLE/WBd_mPU_ScI/AAAAAAAAGj0/SSW4CWrESToX1M-KTVtuEhdwhMHgZc6tACLcB/s1600/b8cc58074a7811b6df25019e55d74494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ImbsaXPxLE/WBd_mPU_ScI/AAAAAAAAGj0/SSW4CWrESToX1M-KTVtuEhdwhMHgZc6tACLcB/s400/b8cc58074a7811b6df25019e55d74494.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Halloween. <br /><div><br /><br />I have heard every side to this on how a Christian should respond to this day.<br /><br />I get it. <br /><br />Once again we are thrust into this tension of Christian liberty vs Holiness. <br />We are sucked into the debate about what living in the world vs. being of the world looks like. <br />We are tossed to-and-fro between the rocking ship of active engagement vs passive protest.<br /><br />I also understand that for many families, it is a matter of conscience. You don't feel comfortable celebrating a holiday that seems to worship the darkest things of our world... and the Spirit world.<br /><br />Today -- it's not unusual to see a kid walking down the street with a knife in his head, fake blood all over his costume. You are bound to see a kid dressed as a ghost, fortune tellers, zombies, even the Grim Reaper.<br /><br /><br />So what should we, as Christians do in response?<br /><br />Again, I understand the conscience argument and I in no way want to infringe on what you honestly believe God would have you do... but before you make that decision I hope you will come to understand how this holiday came about. From there, I hope we can all come to respect whatever decisions we come to make on this day.<br /><br /><br />You may be surprised to find out that Halloween was actually begun as a Christian festival.<br /><br />Over the centuries, Halloween has not been about glorifying death. It's been more about respectfully remembering the dead and honoring that life is "hallowed" -- holy.<br /><br />Before there was "Halloween", there was "All Hallows' Eve" -- and All Saints Day. For hundreds of years, before jack-o-lanterns and zombies and candy corn, Christians around the world have remembered the dead, the saints, the cloud of witnesses that have gone before us.<br /><br />Halloween comes from the same root word as "hallowed" or "halo", meaning holy.<br /><br />It was a time for families and churches to remember those who had passed into eternity that year... many of which because of martyrdom for the faith.<br /><br />It was a celebration of thanksgiving. Long before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, there was All Hallows Eve. We gave thanks for the harvest and we gave thanks to God for the people He had put into our lives.<br /><br /><br />Halloween was made to honor people.<br /><br /><br />The church is in the redeeming business. We are in the redeeming business, because our leader, our King, our husband... Jesus Christ is in the redeeming business. We have always been an agent for change and an agent for good in our world. I don't think that stops because the world has taken hold of one of OUR holidays and made it about gore and demons.<br /><br />My Jesus can redeem anything. My Jesus wins. My Jesus is sacking and depleting the Kingdom of Satan... and He will not relent until ALL is His again.<br /><br />Personally, I think that includes All Hallows Eve.<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does." -Martin Luther</blockquote><br />Church, tonight your neighbors, those people who live mere feet from you, they with all their baggage, all their own joys, all their own hardships, their love of life, as well as their loneliness will traipse up to your door with their little princesses and power rangers and they will ring your doorbell.<br /><br />Those people who have life, life given to them by the God we serve, the God who loves them. Those people who we never speak to, who are nameless to us, those people who we are called to love... They will come to you.<br /><br />If you're up for it... Go get some candy. Turn your light on. Have a conversation. You don't have to celebrate. You aren't condoning devil worship. You are actively loving your neighbor.<br /><br />Love the people right around you. Right. Where. You. Live.<br /><br />So, because I am in the redeeming business, and because I personally LOVE All Hallows Eve... I have some pretty fantastic stuff planned for tonight -- a place stunningly decorated with spooky fixtures. For my neighborhood kids, I'm firing up a grill in the middle of my driveway tonight and making S'mores and we'll be handing out gobs and gobs of candy. <br /><br />But rather than revering the heroes of horror like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers, it is a time we can celebrate the people we have admired, lost loved ones and the saints of old. So as we bob for apples, carve pumpkins, and eat lots of candy over the next few days… we'll also go deeper -- let's reclaim the holiday as a holy day.<br /><br />Around here -- we don't need more gore and blood, and fear is enough of a national obsession. But there is something sweet about the way Halloween gives us permission to laugh at death, and stare fear in the face... after all, we know the dead can rise again.<br /><br />Oh death, Thou art dead. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;">Happy Halloween!</span></b></div></div><br /><br /><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor in East Orlando, FL. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <iframe allowtransparency="true" class="twitter-follow-button twitter-follow-button-rendered" data-screen-name="nathanpbryant" frameborder="0" id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/follow_button.57ff0b891fe1c9c735cbb440e7fd97ef.en.html#dnt=false&amp;id=twitter-widget-0&amp;lang=en&amp;screen_name=nathanpbryant&amp;show_count=false&amp;show_screen_name=true&amp;size=l&amp;time=1467058471993" style="height: 28px; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 182px;" title="Twitter Follow Button"></iframe><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script id="twitter-wjs" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" style="border: none; display: none; height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" style="border: none; display: none; height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-79552529889273275002016-10-11T15:04:00.006-04:002016-10-12T16:26:43.937-04:00Another Election Post<span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;">Church, it is time we had a chat.</span><br /><br /><div>I realize that I will not make many friends by sharing this, but that’s ok in my book. Something has been brewing in my mind for some time now and I know that I am not alone.<br /><br />It boils down to this idol of nationalism that we have all bowed down to for far too long. Now don’t get me wrong, I love my country. I take pride in being an American citizen and I have the utmost respect for those who have defended her and promoted our 240 year experiment.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: large;">But we have a problem.</span><br /><br />The elephant (and donkey) in the room have gone unspoken about for too long. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is another election post.</div><br />I can’t go on any social media forum anymore without seeing some post from another Christian saying that we’re all doomed if so-and-so is elected. I understand that politics is an emotionally charged topic. It is a powerful topic. Politics has the power pull out the deepest philosophies and values we hold most dear as humans, as Americans, and as Christians.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTdd2tkRSCg/V_03e3tfzcI/AAAAAAAAFc4/sZRPW8Y4J5Useap23Xl_OdSg0amVm5hKQCLcB/s1600/disunited-537x350.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTdd2tkRSCg/V_03e3tfzcI/AAAAAAAAFc4/sZRPW8Y4J5Useap23Xl_OdSg0amVm5hKQCLcB/s320/disunited-537x350.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />It also has the power to divide us instead of bring us together.<br /><br />Both sides think the absolute worst will happen if the other side wins. There is absolutely no way to have any consensus. Gone are the days where the losing side took the loss in stride and went back to work for the people who elected them. Now? An election loss only fuels the bludgeoning and finger pointing.<br /><br />It is now impossible to have an opinion on something without being thrown under the bus by others who feel they must comment. A Republican who points out the flaws of their candidate in a matter of seconds can get run over by a train of insults and charges of supporting the Democrats.<br /><br />A Democrat who points out the flaws of their candidate is immediately outed as helping to elect a “demagogue” and is forced to hide from the ensuing witch hunt.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This isn’t CNN. This is Facebook.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This isn’t a banter between politicians. These are comments from Christians.</b></span></div><br />Most of American Christianity have tied their convictions into the political system. Making political power their hope and now God is smashing that idol before us while laying bare the blatant compromise.<br /><br />Let’s just be clear, neither of these candidates are our savior. Donald Trump did not die on a cross for you. He cannot, he will not, fix the broken fabric of our humanity. Hillary Clinton cannot fix the deepest longings in your heart. She cannot, she will not, give you meaning or purpose to your life.<br />On November 8th, millions of Americans will go to the polls to cast their votes. Thousands of Christians will vote for one believing that God told them to do so, and thousands of Christians will vote for the other believing that God told them to do so.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>NEWSFLASH:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace;">God is not conflicted. He isn’t torn apart over this and he isn’t confused. He knows who will be the next President, and there is nothing you or I can do to surprise Him.</span></span></div><br /></div><div>God isn’t on YOUR side either. He isn’t interested in being a Republican or a Democrat. <br /><br />When I realized this I was reminded of a passage in the Old Testament. <br />God had given Joshua the command and the charge to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Through Moses, Joshua was commissioned take the land and settle it. Joshua knew His mission, He knew God was behind it, and He knew that God would lead them to victory. Yet, when facing Jericho, Joshua halted. That’s when the LORD appeared to him:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”<br />“Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the LORD’s army.”</blockquote><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">-Joshua 5:13-14 NLT</div><br /><br />In other words, Joshua is asking this man, “Whose side are you on? My side? Or their side?” And he is given the reply, “Neither, I know who I am. The question is, who are you?”<br /><br />Joshua then falls to his knees and submits to this Man. <br /><br />Joshua needed his mind reoriented. This was never about him. This wasn’t even about Israel. It has always been about what God is doing in His universe. God does not HAVE a candidate. God is who He is. It isn’t about picking a side for Him. He is concerned only with His Glory, and He is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.<br /><br />The hunch I get though is that the Church is not satisfied in Him much at all. <br /><br />We’re preoccupied with little things that in comparison to the mission that God has given us are microscopic. <br /><br /><ul><li>The state of the economy is but a blip on the majesty of the mission, because Christ is our perfect and constant provider.</li><br /><li>The balance of the Supreme Court is but a fragment on the scales of justice in God’s Kingdom, because Christ is our righteous Judge.</li><br /><li>The rise of ISIS is but a thorn in the side when it comes to our witness or our safety, because Christ is our defender.</li></ul><br />Church, stop being afraid of worldly powers. Your God is in perfect control.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">Viewing political power as the solution to the world's problems is a devious form of worldliness to which Christians have been blind.</div>— Joshua Harris (@HarrisJosh) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarrisJosh/status/784821901721907200">October 8, 2016</a></blockquote></div></div><br />Weigh in!<br /><br /><br /><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor in East Orlando, FL. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <iframe allowtransparency="true" class="twitter-follow-button twitter-follow-button-rendered" data-screen-name="nathanpbryant" frameborder="0" id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/follow_button.57ff0b891fe1c9c735cbb440e7fd97ef.en.html#dnt=false&amp;id=twitter-widget-0&amp;lang=en&amp;screen_name=nathanpbryant&amp;show_count=false&amp;show_screen_name=true&amp;size=l&amp;time=1467058471993" style="height: 28px; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 182px;" title="Twitter Follow Button"></iframe><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script id="twitter-wjs" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" style="border: none; display: none; height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" style="border: none; display: none; height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-46821906662485543492016-09-05T15:26:00.001-04:002016-09-05T15:26:30.084-04:00Eeyore<div style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think it is high time the church began to look more and more like the friends of the hundred acre wood. Depression is a serious issue, one that we have neglected to teach on. And the answer is not to try and "fix people", but just love people... The way Jesus loved people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sV6E3qu2IrI/V83G5MNtdDI/AAAAAAAAFZY/iaIIwzyRXQU/s640/blogger-image-48744382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sV6E3qu2IrI/V83G5MNtdDI/AAAAAAAAFZY/iaIIwzyRXQU/s640/blogger-image-48744382.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-47097758705172297732016-08-28T16:31:00.001-04:002016-08-28T16:31:15.256-04:00Purpose<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/180506070" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe> <a href="https://vimeo.com/180506070">August 28, 2016</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/riverruncc">River Run Church</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-36447372362852620732016-07-07T12:31:00.000-04:002016-07-07T12:44:19.000-04:00Wake up!<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xB1F8yHN8jQ/V36DU3gdytI/AAAAAAAAFUg/CVDvv9P5BIgl_Md9HxC6yQ0H5Seu2zI4gCLcB/s1600/broken_heart_by_starry_eyedkid-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xB1F8yHN8jQ/V36DU3gdytI/AAAAAAAAFUg/CVDvv9P5BIgl_Md9HxC6yQ0H5Seu2zI4gCLcB/s320/broken_heart_by_starry_eyedkid-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>The events of the last few weeks from Orlando to Istanbul, North Korea to Louisiana, Baghdad to the Carolinas, Nairobi to Washington DC; the racism, the hatred, the pain and distress... People acting as if they are above the law, people for whom the law doesn't protect, people for whom the law directly opposes and ostracizes...</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">It all goes to show one thing very clearly: Our World is Broken&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">And all that we are doing; our institutions, our nonprofits, our attempts at peace... they just aren't working.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The battle truly begins not with legislation, but in the hearts of men.</b></span></span></div></blockquote><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The prophet Jeremiah said of our condition this:</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div dir="ltr"><span class="text Jer-17-9" id="en-NLT-19343">"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="text Jer-17-9">and desperately wicked.</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="text Jer-17-9">Who really knows how bad it is?</span></span>" </div></blockquote><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Answer: Only God. For He is the one who searches hearts and minds. He examines our secret motives and He gives us exactly what we deserve.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">But God never intended to leave us in that place of despair. So many of us walk around as if that is the ultimate truth, that mankind is wicked, beyond any kind of repair or redemption.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">But God sent Himself to come and redeem ALL of that which was broken... and there is only One who came to re-create the heart.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li>He taught us that loving our neighbors and loving our enemies would bring peace.</li><li>He taught us that hurt is not something we "get over", but something we can stand up on top of, something that we can conquer.</li><li>He taught us that revenge doesn't heal the hurt or the longing but that redemption does.</li><li>He taught us that real love is self-sacrificial, not selfish. </li><li>He taught us that wealth and power fades, money is fickle, but that holiness stores up endless dividends.&nbsp;</li><li>He taught us that all life matters to God, ESPECIALLY the lives of the poor, oppressed, despondent, and ostracized.</li><li>He taught us that the Kingdoms of this world will always fail at giving humanity its deepest longing.</li><li>He taught us to pray with true expectant hope.</li><li>He taught us to take care of each other and look out not for our own interests but also the interests of others.</li><li>He taught us that loving God means loving others.</li></ul></blockquote><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Church, the world won't wake up to the notion that Jesus' way is better until WE start living like we truly believe His ways are better.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">The world needs Jesus. They need His salvation. They need His peace. They need His way of life.</div><div dir="ltr">They need Eden restored. </div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">We aren't called to live like this to earn salvation.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">We are called to live like this so that salvation can truly work within us and through us, to change us.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">1.) We live differently, because the world needs us to.</div><div dir="ltr">The object of our denying of self is to call a dying world back to our lifesource. It is to live the Gospel of Christ out in our every breath. It is so that WE as a people, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God can show others a better way, the way of Christ.</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div dir="ltr"><span class="text 1Pet-2-9" id="en-NLT-30369">But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.</span> </div><div class="poetry top-1"><div class="line"><span class="text 1Pet-2-10" id="en-NLT-30370">“Once you had no identity as a people;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="text 1Pet-2-10">now you are God’s people.</span></span><br /><span class="text 1Pet-2-10">Once you received no mercy;</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="text 1Pet-2-10">now you have received God’s mercy.”</span></span></div></div><span class="text 1Pet-2-11" id="en-NLT-30371">Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. </span><span class="text 1Pet-2-12" id="en-NLT-30372">Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.</span><br /><div class="top-1" style="text-align: right;"><span class="text 1Pet-2-12" id="en-NLT-30372">- 1 Peter 2:9-12 NLT</span></div></blockquote><div class="top-1"><span class="text 1Pet-2-12" id="en-NLT-30372"><br /></span></div><div class="top-1"><span class="text 1Pet-2-12" id="en-NLT-30372">2.) We live differently because we grow from it too.</span></div><div class="top-1"><br /></div><div class="top-1"><span class="text 1Pet-2-12" id="en-NLT-30372">The goal of the Christian is to become conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Spiritual formation is t</span><span class="st">he process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others. When we intentionally live on mission and mirroring what we see Christ doing more and more it becomes habitual. We become better. Our hearts are more malleable to the call of God. We hear God's Spirit more clearly.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span class="st">We are justified by faith... but we become holy not by thinking right thoughts, but by living out what God calls us to.</span><br /><br /><span class="st">Jesus wasn't a theologian locked in a library, he was a practitioner... and He calls us to the same. </span></div><div class="top-1"><br /></div><div class="top-1"><span class="st">It is living in cruciformity, for our betterment.</span><br /><br /></div><div class="top-1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2TVllDn78U/V36DIlBCQ6I/AAAAAAAAFUc/Td8NpN52x3U9MQmsqc4i-X1k_q5I3lmLQCLcB/s1600/clean%2Bheart.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2TVllDn78U/V36DIlBCQ6I/AAAAAAAAFUc/Td8NpN52x3U9MQmsqc4i-X1k_q5I3lmLQCLcB/s400/clean%2Bheart.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="st"><br /></span></div><div class="top-1"><u><b><span class="st">So, how can you start, today?&nbsp;</span></b></u></div><div class="top-1"><span class="st"><br /></span></div><ul><li><span class="st">Say hi to your next door neighbor. Get to know their name and their story.<br />Buy coffee for a stranger. <br />By all means, pray. Pray for wisdom and for guidance. Pray that God melts your heart for the people who He loves.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="st">Read the Bible. Start with a Gospel (Matthew is a good one!) Put into practice what you read about.</span></li><li><span class="st">Show kindness to the girl at work who gets under your skin.</span></li><li><span class="st">Sit with the kid that no one likes.</span></li><li><span class="st">Buy lunch for a homeless man.</span></li></ul><div class="top-1"><span class="text 1Pet-2-12" id="en-NLT-30372">Those are suggestions for starting points, what would you add?</span></div><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor at River Run Church in East Orlando, FL.&nbsp;As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology.&nbsp; In 2014 he attended the Leadership Institute in Phoenix, AZ where he continued his education from other pastors and educators at one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <iframe allowtransparency="true" class="twitter-follow-button twitter-follow-button-rendered" data-screen-name="nathanpbryant" frameborder="0" id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/follow_button.57ff0b891fe1c9c735cbb440e7fd97ef.en.html#dnt=false&amp;id=twitter-widget-0&amp;lang=en&amp;screen_name=nathanpbryant&amp;show_count=false&amp;show_screen_name=true&amp;size=l&amp;time=1467058471993" style="height: 28px; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 182px;" title="Twitter Follow Button"></iframe><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script id="twitter-wjs" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" style="border: none; display: none; height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" style="border: none; display: none; height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-53810681752971117492016-06-27T16:13:00.001-04:002016-06-27T16:15:57.835-04:00Walking Humbly<div>This afternoon I was reading one of my favorite books, it has been a while since I opened it and just read. It's a spiritual classic called "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas A'Kempis. Within the opening two paragraphs he wrote something profound, something that I have glossed over too many times to count.</div><div><br></div><div>I paraphrase it and contemporize it this way:</div><div><br></div><div>"What good could possibly come out of us, to enter into deep discussion concerning God, if we lack humility? For it matters not how accurate our discussion, if we in our very attitudes are displeasing to Him. More than that, it's never deep words that make us holy, for words are cheap. Rather, a heart softened to the Gospel that pleases God."</div><div><br></div><div>And then... Out of nowhere an old song from Sonicflood started playing on my iPad, one I haven't heard in years.. The chorus is a prayer that seemed to fit perfectly with what I had just read...</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, take my heart and form it<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Take my mind and transform it<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Take my will and conform it<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To yours, to yours, oh Lord<br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To yours, to yours, oh Lord<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Read more:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.metrolyrics.com/holiness-lyrics-sonicflood.html#ixzz4CoMSh8rU" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sonicflood - Holiness Lyrics | MetroLyrics</a>&nbsp;</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This is a thought that I just couldn't let go. How many times have I started talking so assuredly about God, how many times have I thought deep thoughts about God... But never trembled before Him, never gave a second thought to His awesome Being. Who am I to utter a word? Who am I to speak so surely of the God who was, who is,can't who is to come? Who am I to suggest I know anything about the Unknowable?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Not to suggest that we can never know God more... For He has revealed Himself partially in His written word, and revealed Himself fully in The Word Incarnate, that is in the person and work of King Jesus... But let us speak as one who is humble and lowly in heart, mind, and soul.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Maybe I'm alone here. Maybe it is my own pride that so easily sleeps it's way back into my heart... But maybe, just maybe some of you experienced this before.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">May we all seek to do justly, and to love mercy, and to WALK HUMBLY with our God.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><br><br><br>-----<br><br><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198"></a></div>is a pastor at River Run Church in East Orlando, FL.&nbsp;As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology.&nbsp; In 2014 he attended the Leadership Institute in Phoenix, AZ where he continued his education from other pastors and educators at one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br><br>Follow him on Twitter: <iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" class="twitter-follow-button twitter-follow-button-rendered" title="Twitter Follow Button" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/follow_button.57ff0b891fe1c9c735cbb440e7fd97ef.en.html#dnt=false&amp;id=twitter-widget-0&amp;lang=en&amp;screen_name=nathanpbryant&amp;show_count=false&amp;show_screen_name=true&amp;size=l&amp;time=1467058471993" data-screen-name="nathanpbryant" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 182px; height: 28px;"></iframe><br><br><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script id="twitter-wjs" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none;"></iframe><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-92023770124375836822016-06-16T12:29:00.000-04:002016-06-16T15:18:25.852-04:00Orlando, the beautiful<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLhinDTLcCU/V2GEPae5trI/AAAAAAAAFTw/QpeCOZ5EvyAybNFR_eAbfXJn3OZHTz3BgCLcB/s1600/OrlandoStrong-660x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xLhinDTLcCU/V2GEPae5trI/AAAAAAAAFTw/QpeCOZ5EvyAybNFR_eAbfXJn3OZHTz3BgCLcB/s400/OrlandoStrong-660x330.jpg" width="400" /></a>I have found myself with a loss of words when it comes to the events of the last few days.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I have struggled to put the few thoughts I do have into any kind of comprehensive sentence.</div><div><br /></div><div>But here is my best attempt.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do not want to insult any specific person or community by pretending to know what the full weight of this attack feels like. We are all victims to an extent. I am, to an extent simply because of geography, and thus have some heavy emotions regarding the entire tragedy...</div><div><br /></div><div>But I realize this was not an attack on me.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was a deliberate, intensive, hate-filled assault on a specific community of people who have been ostracized, abused, segregated, and made to feel like second class citizens simply because of how they identify sexually.<br /><br />I have been on the street. I have walked past Pulse nightclub. I know people who attend events there. I know people who work there. I have friends who have been forever impacted by the events of this weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was evil in its most blatant form, coming out into the open, for the eyes, ears, and attention of the entire world.<br /><br />One man with a heart full of hate, of fear, and of anger was able to cause so much hurt<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the Gospels, there is a story. A story of a Pharisee and a tax collector.<br />It's a simple parable, but one that is played out on a regular basis even in our world today...<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="text Luke-18-10" id="en-NLT-25666"><span class="woj">“Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-11" id="en-NLT-25667"><span class="woj">The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-12" id="en-NLT-25668"><span class="woj">I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’</span></span> <br /><span class="text Luke-18-13" id="en-NLT-25669"><span class="woj">“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-14" id="en-NLT-25670"><span class="woj">I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”</span></span></blockquote><br />Certainly the text tells us a lot, but the imagery is what I want to focus on here. The man who actually prayed, instead of spewing a hate filled speech to onlookers, the man who humbled himself, the man who was ostracized, rejected, and even publicly shamed just seconds before was the one whom God honored.<br /><br />God didn't even recognize the Pharisee, as morally accurate his statement <i>MAY</i> have been (and that is a stretch), it came from a calloused, hard heart.<br /><br />Jesus condemns this attitude over and over again in the Gospel accounts.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What's my point?</b></span></span><br /><br />Our facebook posts and tweets are not enough. It is time for Christians to ACTUALLY pray... and let your prayers become active.<br /><br />Prayer without any type of action would be a foreign concept to the early church. The Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6, is all about asking God to lead us to ACT. <br /><br /><b>When is the last time you expressed a genuine love for someone you disagreed with?</b><br /><br /><b>When is the last time you showered the same kind of love you have for your family onto someone who is different than you?</b><br /><br />Words have life. Words mean something, but they are also at times hollow.<br /><br />Our words become hollow when we only seem to care about the LGBTQ+ community after a tragedy.<br /><br />Our words become hollow when we say we are praying for people one day, and the next are back to spewing the same hate filled, self-righteous speech that led to much of their oppression in the first place.<br /><br />And it's time to be honest: The church has been oppressive with its language and activity against this specific community. Not everyone, sure. And you do not need to be on the liberal side of the aisle as a church to legitimately love people.<br /><br />We may have severe disagreements. But that is OK.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is not the time to argue over sexuality. This is not the time to weaponize Scripture. This is not the time to become political, blame guns, religion, terrorists, or judges.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a moment to weep, grieve, do some deep soul searching, and BE.<br /><br />Be a human being. Be broken with this community. Be transparent with yourself and with us. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a time where the church needs to look more like Jesus and less like the Pharisee praying aloud for all to hear.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><ul><li>Changing your profile picture is nice.</li><li>Saying you will pray for people is great.</li><li>Using one of the many hashtags to convey your care is awesome.</li><li>Sending some money is wonderful.</li><li>To the thousands who stood in line to donate blood, you are truly remarkable human beings for braving the heat and giving of yourself in such an intimate way.</li><li>By all means, PRAY. Please pray. Pray for my city. Pray for my brothers and sisters. Pray for the LGBTQ+ community. Prayer is THE most important thing you can do for us right now. Prayer works. Prayer is what everyone MUST start with.<br /><br />But don't stop there: Your prayers ring hollow if your heart is still hardened. </li></ul><div><br /></div><div>We need to rise above that, because when the dust settles, when the news crews leave, when the investigation is over, and life attempts to crawl back to some type of normalcy... There is still a gaping hole.<br /><br />There is a hole never before felt by all who were intimately affected.<br />There is a hole in all of our hearts that fear slowly seeps into.<br />I have read too many tweets of friends who are afraid to go to work, go to the movie theater, even... go to church because of these events.<br />Our theme parks have just installed extra security and are now doing more and more metal detections and bag searches.<br />There is a hole, because something was taken from us. A long time ago something was taken from us all.<br /><br />We, the Church, the incarnation of Christ into this world, the bearers of God Himself, the people redeemed, the Royal Priesthood, the Bride and body of Jesus Himself... have a mission. We have been given the mission of reconciliation... and when it comes to certain communities among us, we have done just the opposite.<br /><br />Christ has come to fill the hole. Christ came to bridge the gap.<br /><br />God is reconciling the world to Himself, and I wonder if He is waiting for us to join Him instead of fighting against Him.<br /><br />This isn't a plea to rid yourself of biblical convictions. <br /><br />This is a plea to turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and ask deep down, what you believe Jesus would say to these people that we have done all we can at times to oppress.<br /><br />It honestly doesn't matter what you believe is true about how a Christian should live: We haven't even invited these people to be part of our community. We have no right to impose a moralistic standard on people who we have no spiritual relationship with. We have no right to demand a conversation about theological implications of anything...because we have never extended our hand into a relationship.<br /><br />We are never called to sacrifice anybody on the altar of truth. Rather to sacrifice ourselves on the altar of love.<br /><br />The conversation MUST change.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtAhIRGXyq0/V2GFT-AC6wI/AAAAAAAAFT8/4w-gaAvBrWUcOSMVqkb6YFCn2AoobS-hACLcB/s1600/13418970_10154221539967210_4617068384971694046_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtAhIRGXyq0/V2GFT-AC6wI/AAAAAAAAFT8/4w-gaAvBrWUcOSMVqkb6YFCn2AoobS-hACLcB/s400/13418970_10154221539967210_4617068384971694046_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Candles lit the darkness and a chilling silence filled the air as the bell tower rang for each of the 50 victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;*N&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/orlandounited">#OrlandoUnited</a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It is one thing to dialogue about what the Bible says, it is an entirely different thing to be bigoted.<br /><br />What we have forgotten, church is that people are made in the image of God. They are loved by Him. No matter where they are in life. No matter their decisions in life.<br /><br />Because we all are in process. The only person who can claim perfection in God's eyes was God Himself... and He gave Himself up for imperfect people.<br /><br />All people have one thing in common: We all are looking for community and love.<br /><br />We claim that we have found the One who is all loving and all reaching. We believe that He has reached down to us. When will we be willing to extend that same grace to others?<br /><br />Really extend it. Not superficially. Fully.<br /><br /><br />--------<br /><br />Finally, I must come to grips with my own self. I would be completely hypocritical to call for such a thing by the church without first recognizing my own part in the conversation thus far. I haven't always been loving. I have in the past, wrestled with the same Pharisaical spirit as the man in the parable. I have used Scripture as a weapon, and I have hurt people with my rhetoric. <br /><br />For this, and so many other things, I am sorry. If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community I want you to know that I am sorry, deeply. And this should have been said long ago, not only after such a horrendous tragedy: I hope you can forgive me.<br /><br />I also hope that this will not be my words ringing hollow, but that I will become an active part of the conversation of love.<br /><br />We will still find plenty to disagree about. We will all still wrestle with the theological implications of how sexuality is lived out in the Church. That is OK, because love is love is love is love is love is love... and the fact that we see the world differently is what makes our solidarity so much more beautiful. My promise is that I will never attack your humanity. I will never allow our differences to make me think less of your dignity as a person loved by and adored by our Creator. <br /><br />Furthermore, I will call out the hate and fear mongers within my community and do all I can to change the conversation.<br /><br />I hope it is not too late for me, for us. We have done a poor job of showing it, we have done an even worse job at reaching out to tell you... but I want you to know that we love you. <br /><br />We love because we have been shown love.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="text 1John-4-7">Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-8" id="en-NLT-30572">But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.</span> <br /><span class="text 1John-4-9" id="en-NLT-30573">God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-10" id="en-NLT-30574">This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.</span><br /><span class="text 1John-4-11" id="en-NLT-30575">Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-12" id="en-NLT-30576">No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.</span><br /><span class="text 1John-4-13" id="en-NLT-30577">And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-14" id="en-NLT-30578">Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-15" id="en-NLT-30579">All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-16" id="en-NLT-30580">We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.</span><br /><span class="text 1John-4-16">God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-17" id="en-NLT-30581">And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.</span><br /><span class="text 1John-4-18" id="en-NLT-30582">Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.</span> <span class="text 1John-4-19" id="en-NLT-30583">We love each other because he loved us first.</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;">1 John 4:7-19 NLT </div><br />And to the LGBTQ+ community,<br /><br />Please understand where we are coming from, not just what you have always heard, not what the uneducated angry street preachers and greedy televangelists promote. Please take a look at WHY we believe what we believe, and please help us have a conversation with you and your community.<br /><br /><br /></div><br />-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor at River Run Church in East Orlando, FL.&nbsp;As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology.&nbsp; In 2014 he attended the Leadership Institute in Phoenix, AZ where he continued his education from other pastors and educators at one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/nathanpbryant">Follow @nathanpbryant</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4210321435562888111.post-35770195427445924532016-05-24T16:51:00.004-04:002016-05-24T16:51:52.579-04:0010 Passages That Will Challenge Your Understanding of Grace<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H90J8DN2XgM/V0S9iGUMTsI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/Tl3E1MlaQdQ38oH0uy0YE1AwIWKAdTfkwCLcB/s1600/2016-02-14%2B00.22.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H90J8DN2XgM/V0S9iGUMTsI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/Tl3E1MlaQdQ38oH0uy0YE1AwIWKAdTfkwCLcB/s320/2016-02-14%2B00.22.06.png" width="320" /></a>It is so easy for us to forget the love that first called us. It is so easy to get a little worn down by the culture around us... how much more does it hurt when other Christians hurt us? Life is hard.<br /><br />It is even harder when living with a faulty understanding of grace. And so many of us do. Somewhere in the middle of the mess of our Christianity is Jesus and He is destroying the lies we have so often believed about Him.<br /><br />It's amazing what happens when we put aside everything we have always been taught about the Scriptures and let the Scriptures speak for themselves.<br /><br />Now, in no way am I saying there is not a place for exposition. My personal area of closest study is in hermeneutics (<i>that is: the art and science of explaining and pulling meaning out of ancient texts, the interpretation of texts</i>). But the number one rule of a good hermeneutic is asking, "What does the text plainly say?"<br /><br />Sadly it is the rule that we most overlook.<br /><br />So today, in place of a blog on some spiritual principle, theological issue, or my own exposition on Scripture I offer this collection of 10 passages that I hope you will read and think about.<br /><br />Pray through these passages.<br /><br />Wrestle with them.<br /><br />Let them speak.<br /><br />And let them challenge every part of you.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span class="text Rom-5-20" id="en-NLT-28029">God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, <b>God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.</b> </span><span class="text Rom-5-21" id="en-NLT-28030">So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, <b>now God’s wonderful grace rules instead</b>, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="text Rom-5-21" id="en-NLT-28030">-Romans 5:20-21</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Rom-5-21" id="en-NLT-28030"><span class="text Rom-3-23" id="en-NLT-27976">For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard</span><span class="text Rom-3-24" id="en-NLT-27977">. <b>Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous.</b> He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. </span><span class="text Rom-3-25" id="en-NLT-27978">For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past</span><span class="text Rom-3-26" id="en-NLT-27979">, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.</span>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Rom-5-21" id="en-NLT-28030">-Romans 3:23-26</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div class="left-1 top-1"><div class="first-line-none"><span class="text Titus-3-4">When <b>God our Savior revealed his kindness and lov</b></span><span class="text Titus-3-5" id="en-NLT-29889"><b>e, he saved us</b>, not because of the righteous things we had done, but <b>because of his mercy</b>. He <b>washed away our sins</b>, giving us a new birth and <b>new life </b>through the Holy Spirit. </span><span class="text Titus-3-6" id="en-NLT-29890">He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. </span><span class="text Titus-3-7" id="en-NLT-29891">Because of <b>his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence</b> that we will inherit <b>eternal life</b>.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="text Titus-3-7" id="en-NLT-29891">-Titus 3:4-7</span></div><div class="first-line-none" style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Titus-3-7" id="en-NLT-29891"><br /></span></div><div class="first-line-none" style="text-align: right;">For <b>the grace of God has been revealed</b>, bringing salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us <b>to redeem us</b> from all wickedness and<b> to purify for himself a people that are his very own</b>, eager to do what is good.&nbsp;</div><div class="first-line-none" style="text-align: right;">-Titus 2:11-14</div><div class="first-line-none"><span class="text Titus-2-11" id="en-NLT-29880"><br /></span></div><div class="first-line-none"><br /><span class="text Rom-5-2" id="en-NLT-28011"><span class="text Rom-5-1">Therefore, since <b>we have been made right in God’s sight</b> by faith, <b>we have peace with God</b> because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. </span>Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of <b>undeserved privilege</b> where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="text Rom-5-2" id="en-NLT-28011">-Romans 5:1-2</span></div><div class="first-line-none"><span class="text Rom-5-2" id="en-NLT-28011"><br /></span></div><div class="first-line-none"><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text 2Cor-4-15" id="en-NLT-28835"><b>All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches</b> more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text 2Cor-4-15" id="en-NLT-28835">-2 Corinthians 4:15</span>&nbsp;</div></div><div class="first-line-none"></div><div class="first-line-none"><span class="text 2Cor-12-8" id="en-NLT-28991">Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-NLT-28992">Each time he said, <span class="woj">“<b>My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.</b>”</span> So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that <b>the power of Christ can work through me</b></span>.</div><div class="first-line-none">&nbsp;-2 Corinthians 12:8-9</div><div class="first-line-none"></div><div class="first-line-none"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Heb-4-14">So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.</span> <span class="text Heb-4-15" id="en-NLT-29990">This High Priest of ours <b>understands our weaknesses</b>, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.</span> <span class="text Heb-4-16" id="en-NLT-29991">So <b> let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God</b>. There we will <b>receive his mercy</b>, and <b>we will find grace to help us</b> when we need it most.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Heb-4-16" id="en-NLT-29991">-Hebrews 4:14-16</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="text Heb-4-16" id="en-NLT-29991"><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" id="en-NLT-30436"><b>In his kindness</b> God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, <b>he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you</b> on a firm foundation.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="text Heb-4-16" id="en-NLT-29991"><span class="text 1Pet-5-10" id="en-NLT-30436">-1 Peter 5:10 </span>&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Heb-4-16" id="en-NLT-29991"><span class="text Eph-2-4" id="en-NLT-29194">But God is <b>so rich in mercy</b>, and <b>he loved us so much</b>,</span> <span class="text Eph-2-5" id="en-NLT-29195">that even though we were dead because of our sins, <b>he gave us life</b> when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)</span> <span class="text Eph-2-6" id="en-NLT-29196">For <b>he raised us from the dead </b>along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.</span> <span class="text Eph-2-7" id="en-NLT-29197">So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of <b>the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us</b>, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Eph-2-8" id="en-NLT-29198"><b>God saved you by his grace when you believed.</b> And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.</span> <b><span class="text Eph-2-9" id="en-NLT-29199">Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="text Eph-2-9" id="en-NLT-29199">-Ephesians 2:4-9&nbsp;</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Grace, then, is grace,–that is to say, it is sovereign, it is free, it is sure, it is unconditional, and it is everlasting.”</b>&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Alexander Whyte</span></span></div><br /></div></div></div>-----<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat<span style="font-size: x-large;">han</span> Bryant</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s1600/nate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UnYC7sFZtzI/VYr0bqG59qI/AAAAAAAADv4/C_dMrvXnTQU/s200/nate.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>is a pastor at River Run Church in East Orlando, FL.&nbsp;As a student at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri he majored in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology.&nbsp; In 2014 he attended the Leadership Institute in Phoenix, AZ where he continued his education from other pastors and educators at one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. He loves the outdoors, whether it is camping in the mountains or jumping through the waves at the beach, nothing is better than enjoying God’s creation. Nathan longs for unity and commitment to Jesus to be a defining element in the global church of his generation. </div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our boundaries.<br /><br />Follow him on Twitter: <a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" data-size="large" href="https://twitter.com/nathanpbryant">Follow @nathanpbryant</a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nathanpbryant.com/">Nathan's Website</a></span></b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border:="" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0wk_V8-Qb0/VRy4xf5F8QI/AAAAAAAAC4s/5J4YVuW6MAs/s1600/sharing.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp; <script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0